Windows 10: How will Microsoft Distribute Non-Upgrade Non-OEM Windows 10?

I would have to go way over my data limit if I did it with my smartphone.

 

Chrome OS is free. Android OS is free. Apple IOS is free. Various flavors of Linux are free. Is there really a market for a paid home operating system in the future? Look at how the others are distributed. Microsoft will have to do the same to survive. They have serious competition now.

 

Well ... yes and no.

IF we're talking about the smartphone market, Windows phone barely even registers as a very small portion. IF we're talking about the tablet market, Windows numbers are a little better, but not much.

But ... in BOTH cases, you do not go out and buy a phone or tablet and THEN install Chrome, iOS, or Windows; instead, you buy a device that already has the OS installed. So, in these markets, making Windows free is not going to have any impact.

As to the desktop market, Windows STILL has nearly all of it -- 90% or more. And while the trade pundits go on and on about how MS only got 15% of the new desktop market shipments in recent years, that's because few people have more than one Windows desktop that they bought. I have one that is several years old, and through hardware upgrades, I've been able to keep up with the performance of more recent desktops. See no reason to spend hundreds of dollars to get something marginally faster.

MS has already said they would make upgrades FREE; but for clean installs, it's certainly reasonable for them to charge a small fee. I paid $40 for Windows 8, and something along similar lines for Win10 would make sense to me. And, once I have one ISO file, I can install using it over and over on all my PCs. So, if I spread that cost across 4 PCs, it comes out to $10 each. Very little to spend to get a new OS. I don't think fees that small are going to drive LOTS of folks out of Windows into Macs, or Android PCs.

 

I agree with what your saying but you lost me at the part where you say you can pay for one key and use it four times. Can you explain that a little more?

 

Yep, that would be good, since I have a smartphone and a 'droid tablet.

 

Yes, and I think I'll try it just to be sure. My RCA 'droid is right here to my right, so it'll be an easy thing to do.

Back in a few . . .

 

Building a new PC: How would you install Windows if it doesn't come on a DVD and you have no way to download?

I would assume you would have more than one computer. So just burn one. You can find one i'm sure.

 

Yeah, I do have more than one PC; however, the idea of this question wasn't about me, but a great big "what if" . . .

 

If'n is the word you're after *Huh

If'n I build a new computer.............. how do I get a copy of Windows O/S

If'n we have an earthquake........................ how do I get food

If'n the house catches fire........................... how do I get out of the burning building

I started flying as a teenager and my old instructor had lots of "if'n" questions.......
if'n the engine quits on take-off what are you going to do
if'n this bucket catches fire what are you going to do
if'n the engine quits at 3,000 feet.... gonna bail out? no 'chute.... now what

All these questions can be answered by thinking and planning ahead................
I'll build a new computer for Win10 when I have a copy of Win10 in my grubby little hand
If MS wants me to run Win10 they'll answer the question of how do I get Win10 on my new homebuilt

jus' don't start building until "they" come up with the answer...........
and they will, you can bet your booty on that......
just remember, if'n they don't I've still got Win8.1 so not to worry.......
THIMK, and plan for "if'n" but let the seller do the worrying *Biggrin

 

They'll probably have a place on the Microsoft website where you can download Windows 10 and of course you'll be able to buy CD.

Being M$, it will probably cost some money but I don't think it will be very much.

 

They could also offer download spots for DVDs and/or USB (would be easiest with just USB) at major retailers like Best Buy, Office Depot, ext. and still keep it a "download only".

 

That would be way to complex compared to just making a DVD available for sale.

 

You don't think that the "Download Only" requirement is restricted to the update from Win7 or Win8. Do you actually believe that new users or "new buyers" will be required to download the install media???

 

Yep look What you had to do to upgrade to W8.1.

 

It would be much easier to allow the retailers to press a DVD, rather than let the "guy on the street" tie up their resources. Can you imagine the line hanging out the front door of Best Buy, Office Depot, etc. waiting to download Windows 10 RTM?